Hi everyone! Just looking for some thoughts and advice please. I know everyone’s experience is different but I could really do with some reassurance! I have posted on here before because I was worried about recurrent pain in my right breast after having my left breast removed last July. Although this is still happening and still a worry, this is not why I’m writing now. My current new complaint is rib, chest and back pain. I don’t know if it’s just coincidence, but I started tamoxifen about a month ago and feel like this has been affecting me ever since. On my mastectomy side, I feel as though the rib underneath my mastectomy scar is sore and tender; I am getting pain in my chest under my right breast, which I notice if anything leans against the area of if I cradle or carry my daughter! And my back and tailbone have been sore this past week! I do, however suffer from sciatica anyway so not sure if it just may be that! Has anyone else had anything similar? I’m also getting headaches every day! I feel like I notice these symptoms mostly at night when I’m just sitting down. Can these be effects of tamoxifen? Could any be effects of radiotherapy? My radiotherapy ended on feb 28th so could I get side effects this late on?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I feel like I wake up everyday with a new complaint and it’s getting me down! I hope someone can help!
Thanks
Hi Katfish
Along with the support you will soon have here please feel free to call our helpliners on 0808 800 6000, lines are open weekdays 9-5 and Saturday 10-2 and our team are on hand with further support for you
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hi katfish,
As far as the pains in your ribs is concerned, it MIGHT be costochondritis – inflammation of parts of the ribs (called costal cartilages). I had this and it can be so painful it sometimes feels as though you are having a heart attack!! Anti-inflammatories usually help.
There is a booklet you can download about different kinds of breast pain:
www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/sites/default/files/bcc71_breast_pain_factsheet_web_2013.pdf
Hope this helps. xx